The best defense to prevent a basement flood is likely the installation of a quality sump pump systemt. Developing a spring maintenance plan is also esential to cleaning and removing debris that could impact waters ability to find your basement foundation.

The first step we take should be cleaning and testing the sump pump. Having a spare, portable pump that is submersible is a great asset as well as extra insurance against flood damage. When draining the pit, ensure that the hose discharges the water well away from the house towards a well-drained area, so that water does not return through the house’s drain tile.

During heavy rainfall, it may be advisable to plug the floor drain below the grate to prevent flood water entering from this source. Standard commercial plugs for this purpose can be found in most hardware stores for under $10, but it is important to remember that this will prevent water from draining out of the basement as well, so this should be checked regularly and only used during heavy rains. A plug with a float is a better alternative as this will rise and plug the drain when water backs up into it, but will not prevent the normal operation of the drain in case of emergencies such as overflowing laundry tubs.

If you know your house or area is susceptible to flooding, ensure all important documents and irreplaceable valuables such as family albums, yearbooks etc are stored well above floor level. The same advice goes for hazardous materials such as cleaning products, paint, oil etc.

Being prepared is not being melodramatic. It is a good idea to put together an emergency kit which includes drinking water and food that will not require cooking – this is likely to be in cans, so remember to include a manually-operated can-opener – and a battery-operated radio, flashlights and candles in case of electrical failure. If severe or widespread flooding is likely, then a more extensive kit should be assembled in the event of evacuation. In such an event, make sure you plan for pets and the needs of babies or the elderly. Discuss all eventualities with the family and elect an out of town relative or friend to be a central contact in case the family is separated. Ensure everyone knows the contact details of this person. With luck, they will never be needed, but having this safety net will dramatically reduce stress and anxiety for everyone.

A wet basement is a disaster waiting to happen and if you just ignore the problem then you could have big trouble ahead. A basement can become wet due to a number of causes; maybe you have suffered a flood or you have a leak somewhere. No matter what the cause you won’t want to leave your basement wet for too long. The most common thing that happens in basements with any type of moisture is that they develop mold or mildew. These two fungi might seem quite innocent but they really can be a source of great misery. Here are some tips about how to deal with a wet basement so you don’t have to suffer.

Establish the Cause of the Moisture

It is usually quite easy to establish the cause of a flood; you just have to follow the water back to its source. A slow leakage of water into your basement can make it harder to locate the cause. You may not even have a leak as one of the most common causes of moisture in basements in condensation. If you want to establish if you are dealing with leaks or condensation the best advice is to cover the wet area with plastic; if there is water on the inside of the plastic you have a leak but if it is on the outside you are dealing with condensation.

Cure the Cause of the Moisture

Once you have established the cause you will then need to take any action that is needed to remedy the situation. This can be easy or hard depending on the cause. If you live in an area that is subject to flooding or high water table levels you might have a very hard road ahead of you to fix the situation – in some cases there will be little you can do.

Get rid of all Moisture

Once you have fixed the problem your final task will be to remove any excess moisture from the room. It is best if you ensure that the basement is well ventilated. Over the coming weeks you should keep an eye on the basement just to make sure that no mold or mildew occurs.

A wet basement is never a problem you should ignore if you want to avoid mold and mildew. The devastation of a flood is bad enough without further problems later on.